Re: Rear Luggage Rack Web Site Update

In rec.bicycles.misc peter <prathman@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
> On Aug 13, 5:41 pm, Zoot Katz <zootk...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
>> On Mon, 13 Aug 2007 17:08:05 -0500, A Muzi <a...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
>> wrote:
>> /
>>
>> >> The way the bike is loaded affects its handling more than could be
>> >> compensated by any reasonable amount of truss work, IMO.
>>
>> >> That these longtail bikes are beginning to be introduced now
>> >> indicates that the market is ready for them. They're attractive to
>> >> people contemplating going car-free or reducing their number of
>> >> automobile trips.
>> I'd think a tripod is probably best for handling a slo****ng load.
>>
>> Chariot makes a bolt on sidecar for carrying kids that isn't even
>> rated for a quarter-keg. I've carried more beer than that (in cans)
>> on the Xtracycle. Despite the weight I never got dropped.
> 
> What do you see as the advantage of the Xtracycle-type designs vs.
> using a regular bike and attaching a trailer when needed for
> especially heavy loads?  Except for the added drag when climbing I
> hardly notice the trailer even when carrying pretty heavy loads.  And
> it's nice to be able to detach the trailer in a few seconds and then
> have a normal bike that's compatible with regular bike racks, mass
> transit, etc.

Let me count the ways:

It handles better
No pushme-pullyou effect
Easier to carry passengers
Less drag (extra trailer wheels add drag)
It's narrower, no hitting bollards or curbs
No worries about having to lock up two things
I'd think of more, but I need to hit the road.

I've never had a problem with bike racks.  I admit, I've never tried to
take it on mass transit.  Other Xtra riders tell me you can take the
front wheel off and fit in the bus front racks fine.

I used a trailer for a couple years and never really liked it.  The
Xtracycle is a lot more fun.   It carries quite a lot even when I'm
carrying my daughters.

-- 
Dane Buson - sigdane@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
 day a student came to Moon and said, "I understand how to make a
better
garbage collector.  We must keep a reference count of the pointers to each
cons."
	Moon patiently told the student the following story -- "One day a student
came to Moon and said, "I understand how to make a better garbage
collector..."